Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
We all go through trials and suffering, and that is when we are tested in if we truly trust God or not, yet God’s love and protection remain steadfast. This is when we have the opportunity to ask: where and in whom do we place our ultimate sense of security? Do we really trust that God loves us and is our shield, refuge, and stronghold in times of trouble, as David wrote in gratitude for God’s justice and deliverance in Psalm 9:9, which gives us hope? Fears can creep in as Satan throws his darts of doubt and may inflict us with insults and setbacks from people we didn’t expect. Then we may give way to feelings of failure, frustration, shame, and maybe guilt. Does this sound familiar?
The tornado of anxiety can erupt if not checked by our faith in God’s sovereignty over our lives, which is essential for trusting His plan instead of trying to control everything ourselves. Scripture guides us to “put off” the bad roots in our hearts that lead us to seek self-desires. We try to work harder to control our fear, and all the “what ifs” flood into our minds. The next usual reaction is that we start to feel angry, alone, depressed, might have bitterness, resentment, pride, envy, and jealousy towards others, and seek false beliefs in coping techniques. These bad roots start to grow in our hearts, which Scripture warns us to “put off” in Galatians 5:19-21. Bad roots in our hearts produce bad fruit, leading to anxiety, frustration, and disappointment as we try to control what is God’s responsibility, such as others’ feelings, behaviors, choices, actions, and responses. We can control only our own emotions, thoughts, words, and responses, not others’.
When something troubling comes up and the future looks bleak, I’m tempted to react with those bad roots found in Gal. 5:19-21. We must ask ourselves: Whether these circumstances look bleak or hopeful and does my trust in God last only as long as the threat seems distant, or do I trust God first? So, it comes down to relinquishing control of what is God’s responsibility versus what is ours. We need to “put on” good roots/good fruits, found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the Holy Spirit produces the kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Suffering and trials expose what is in our hearts. Adversity enhances our need for the teaching in God’s Word, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
What do you need right now? Talk to God, seek Him and trust in Him rather than people. Put on Philippians 4:4-7: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Who or what do we (I) need to seek first for any situation? It is found in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Listen to Hope Never Fails – Zach Williams, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, & Chris Tomlin.